Emulator Composite.book - Creative

12 - Synthesizer Basics
MIDI Channels & Real-time Controls
MIDI Channels & Real-time Controls
The MIDI real-time controllers may seem confusing at first, but they are really very
simple once you understand them. You probably already know that there are 16 MIDI
channels per MIDI cable. Each MIDI channel uses three basic types of messages; note
on/off, preset changes, and continuous controller messages.Your MIDI keyboard, in
addition to telling Emulator X which note was played, can also send aftertouch realtime
control information, which simply means control occurring in real-time or “live.”
(You may be using a MIDI device other than a keyboard, but for simplicity's sake we'll
presume that you are using a keyboard.) Real-time control sources include such things
as controller knobs, pitch wheels or touchstrips, modulation wheels, control pedals
and aftertouch. These are used to add more expression or control.
The front panel control knobs send out real-time controller information on separate
continuous controller numbers. There is a set of 95 continuous controller numbers for
each MIDI channel. Some continuous controllers, such as modulation wheel, volume,
and pan have standardized numbers. For example, volume is usually sent on
continuous controller #7. The front panel control knobs are programmed to specific
MIDI controls.
MIDI
Channel 1
Note
On/Off
Program
Change
Continuous
Controllers
MIDI
Channel 2
Note
On/Off
Program
Change
Continuous
Controllers
MIDI
Channel 3
Note
On/Off
Program
Change
Continuous
Controllers
MIDI
Channel 16
Note
On/Off
Program
Change
Continuous
Controllers
Any MIDI controller can be routed to any modulation destination. First, you have to
know which controller numbers your keyboard transmits. Most modern MIDI
keyboards let you select a controller number for each control on the keyboard. For
example, it may let you select a number from 0-31 for the data slider. The realtime
controller numbers that the keyboard transmits must match the numbers Emulator X is
receiving, otherwise nothing will happen when you move the controls.
Suppose you wanted to send the four data sliders on your master keyboard. Emulator X
can handle up to 16 MIDI controllers (A-P) of your choosing. “MIDI A-P” are simply
names for the internal connections that link external MIDI continuous controllers to
the Cords page. There are two parts to the connection. First, MIDI controller numbers
are assigned to the letters A-P in the Controllers dialog box. Next, the letters A-P are
connected to synthesizer control parameters in the PatchCord section of the Preset Edit
window. The Cord Amount scales the amount of each controller by a positive or
negative value.
Most factory presets have the MIDI A-P controls connected to standard synthesizer
functions (labelled in the Multisetup page). By choosing any four of the 16 standard
functions, the four sliders on your keyboard will work the same on every preset. The
chart on the following page shows how this might work if your keyboard transmitted
the slider settings on MIDI controllers 21-24.
292 Emulator X2 Operation Manual